As part of managing the National Finals of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, we’ve been traveling the highways   and byways of Ireland over the last two weeks attending the IBYE Regional Finals. Boy has it been an eye opener!

This competition, launched back in May, aims to support and encourage youth entrepreneurship. An initiative of the Dept. of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the campaign is managed by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the country and Enterprise Ireland.

The young entrepreneurs we have met have been incredible. Open to entrepreneurs under 30 years of age their business are breath-taking. Some are already employing large numbers. Others are inventing and designing products that will enhance our daily lives. Others are exporting to all corners of the globe while others are attracting spend into Ireland by bringing people into Ireland.

These entrepreneurs might be young but boy are they serious business people and their acumen, intellect, vision, leadership and skill has to be seen to be believed.

The IBYE Regional Finals are now complete and we have 24 finalists for the Nationals. The competition is very tough but we are minded that Ireland’s future is very bright when we see these incredible young people in action!

Follow the competition on Facebook or Twitter @IBYE_2014 or meet the finalists on our You Tube channel.